Visitors will be off to see the Wizard, the season’s first hockey exhibition games, the planetarium, an artists’ reception at newly modernized Tyler Art Gallery and maybe even a splash-in showing of “Zootopia”—all at SUNY Oswego’s Family and Friends Weekend from Friday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 23.

For many students, this weekend presents an opportunity for family and friends—some for the first time—to share firsthand in their students’ immersive college experiences.

A wide variety of events—many free and open to the public—will showcase the creative, athletic and other talents of SUNY Oswego’s students. For ticketed activities, visit any SUNY Oswego box office, tickets.oswego.edu or call 315-312-2141.

The college’s theater and music departments will present an adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in the newly renovated and modernized Waterman Theatre of Tyler Hall. This ticketed musical production also runs at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28 and at 3 p.m. Oct. 29.

The Lakers hockey teams both kick off their seasons Saturday, Oct. 22, with exhibition games in Marano Campus Center arena. The women skate against the Toronto Midget Aeros at 3 p.m., while the men take the ice against the Central Canadian Hockey League All-Graduate Team at 7 p.m. Both games require tickets. The women’s soccer team will take on SUNY Cortland at 1 p.m. Oct. 22 at Laker Soccer Field in a game that is free and open to the public.

A free public reception featuring the work of artists from around the nation will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. for “Restart,” the first exhibition of the new era for Tyler Art Gallery. The show also includes the art of local schoolchildren working with student teachers in Oswego’s master of arts in teaching program. Exhibition hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 22 and 11:30 to 4 p.m. Oct. 23.

The planetarium in Richard S. Shineman Center for Science, Engineering and Innovation will present “Back to the Moon and on to Mars!” at 7 p.m. Oct. 21; at 1, 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22; and at 1 p.m. Oct. 23.

For a more terrestrial scientific treat, guests may visit the college’s Rice Creek Field Station from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 21, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22. Shuttles depart Marano Campus Center every 15 minutes from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. For a free naturalist-guided walk, participate in Rice Creek Ramble at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Entertainment for the young—and the young at heart—abounds. There’s “Zootopia” at 8 p.m. Oct. 21 in Lee Hall pool; a free concert featuring the College Choir, Chamber Singers, State Singers, College-Community Orchestra and Concert Band at noon Oct. 22 in Hewitt Union ballroom; a mini-carnival from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 in Swetman Gym of Marano Campus Center; free performances by comic and magician Michael Kent at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Oct. 22 in Marano Campus Center auditorium; and free, lively family portraits from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 in Room 145 of Marano Campus Center.

Other events include the ticketed Buffet Dinner with Family & Friends at 5 p.m. Oct. 22 in Sheldon Hall ballroom; a free performance by comedian Ryan Conner at 8 p.m. Oct. 22 in Hewitt Union ballroom; and unguided tours of Rich, Wilber and Park halls and Shineman Center from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 21 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 and 23.

For the sporty set, open recreation Oct. 21 takes place from 9 a.m. to midnight in Lee Hall gym and noon to 11 p.m. in Swetman Gym, along with lap swim from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and open swim from 4 to 8 p.m. in Lee Hall pool. Hours on Oct. 22 are noon to midnight in Lee Hall gym; noon to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 10 p.m. in Lee Hall pool; and open skate (with nominal admission and skate rental fees) from 10 p.m. to midnight Oct. 22 in Marano Campus Center arena, with refreshments provided by Auxiliary Services and sponsored by Campus Recreation.

For more information and a complete schedule, visit oswego.edu/familyandfriends.